Song 7: Unfinished Sympathy (Massive Attack)

Song 7: Unfinished Sympathy (Massive Attack) 
(level: B2 / Upper-Intermediate / ***)

Massive Attack
Photo credit: crackmagazine.net

Before listening / watching

The following notes could be useful 

Massive Attack are an English trip hop group formed in 1988 in Bristol, England and consisting of  Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall. Their debut album Blue Lines was released in 1991, with the single Unfinished Sympathy.

The music video for "Unfinished Sympathy" was filmed in Los Angeles, California. It begins with a shot of a real street gang with a dog before moving to follow singer Nelson walking along a dirty pavement unaware or uncaring of her surroundings, which include all sorts of people, most seemingly poor, bikers, a disabled man, drunks, a tramp...

As the video progresses, the members of the band (one of them having finished making a call on a public phone booth) and then former band member Mushroom (pushing a cart) can be seen walking several paces behind her... 

Single sleeve
Picture credit: discogs.com 

If you are interested in knowing more about the band (discography etc.), get to their official site. Click HERE

While listening / watching

Fill in the missing words or phrases in the gaps. 

I know that  .......................................(1) before
And how it could be with you
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have .........................................(2)
You're the book that I .......................................(3)
And now I've got to know much more

The curiousness of your potential kiss
Has got my .......................................... (4) aching
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have a ................................................(5)
You're the book that I .........................................(6)
And now I've got to know much more

Like a soul without a ……………. (7)
.......................................... (8)
I'm missing every part   

(x5)

Now watch the music video! Click HERE

When you are finished, check your answers! 

I know that I've imagined  love (1) before
And how it could be with you
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have a day without a night (2)
You're the book that I have opened (3)
And now I've got to know much more

The curiousness of your potential kiss
Has got my mind and body (4) aching
Really hurt me baby, really cut me baby
How can you have a day without a night (5)
You're the book that I have opened (6)
And now I've got to know much more

Like a soul without a mind (7)
In a body without a heart
I'm missing every part  

(x5)

Words you can't really understand!

Words you can't really understand! 
(Level: B1 / Intermediate /  **) 

The Union Jack
Photo credit: ThoughtCo.com 

Before watching:

You are going to listen to (and watch) Greg from Online Language Academy.com explaining why learners of English may have problems understanding British English native speakers. 

As a matter of fact, learners of English are not used to the slang or the  shortened words native speakers commonly use. 

Greg is giving 14 typical British English words. 


After watching:


Look at the following sentences and replace as many words as you can with their shortened counterparts.


1. I want to watch the football on television this afternoon but before that, make me a sandwich with cheese, ham and some vegetables and get me the beverages I got from the off-licence!

2. Congratulations!  You've passed your driving test! 

3. In the morning I never have breakfast but I definitely have a cup of tea with some biscuits at 10.30 when I have a break.

4. It's raining again! Have you seen my umbrella?

For more practice, you can also get to OLA - English with Greg on YouTube: click HERE





When you are finished, you can check your answers.

1. I wanna watch the footy on TV / the telly this arvo but before that, make me a sarnie with cheese, ham and some veg and get me the  bevvies I got from the offie! 

2. Congrats!  You've passed your driving test! 

3. In the morning I never have brekkie but deffo, I have a cuppa   with some biscuits at 10.30 when I have a break.

4. It's raining again! Have you seen my brolly?

Song 6: Faithless - No roots + God is a DJ (live at Alexandra Palace)

Song 6: Faithless - No roots + God is a DJ (live at Alexandra Palace) 
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Sister Bliss and Maxi Jazz
Photo credit: rtbf.be 

You are going to watch two subsequent songs by Faithless: No Roots and God is a DJ. 
They were recorded live in 2005 at Alexandra Palace. 

Before watching: 

The following notes could be useful: 

Faithless : a British band consisting of Maxi Jazz (singer), Sister Bliss (composer, piano, keyboards) and Rollo (producer).

Faithless was formed in 1995  and recorded six studio albums until announcing in 2011 they would split up but they reunited in 2015 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band.

Lead female vocals are performed by Pauline Taylor and Dido.

If you want to know more about the band, get to their official site: click HERE

While watching: 

Watch first the videos, then read the lyrics as you have a second listen.

No questions this time!   Enjoy ! 

Song 1: No Roots.    Click HERE to watch it. 

No roots, no tree, no family, no name
No roots, no tree, no family, no name
No roots

My love is generations old
I was there when trees died as the world went cold
Still there when my people were bought and sold
What's going on? What's going on?

Your love is on a grand scale
Mine is in the detail
Your love is to change the world
We just want to have to hold
Two hearts, both forgivin'
Two ways to see the same thing
One house there's room for all
We just want to have to hold
We just want to have to hold

No roots, no tree, no family, no me
No roots, no tree, no family, no me

Our first, was more planning than luck
I had a deep understandin' of, what makes you hot
I did my homework, till my dome hurt, I was a stone flirt
Hustling for some prone work, and I don't stop
I knew that you were good for me
You an' I fit together so beautifully
But only for three years were we in harmony
Harmony, harmony
I've ended up part you, part me
Love that we agree, not be ugly
And now that we're free to create our own destiny
You will always be a friend to me
My love persists over land and sea
Through centuries I'll fill you up like rice and peas
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there
Like the breeze cool your skin
Fill your hair even when I'm not there

Lyrics credit : genius.com

Song 2: God is a DJ.    Click HERE to watch it.

This is my church
This is where I heal my hurts
It's a natural grace
Of watching young life shape
It's in minor keys
Solutions and remedies
Enemies becoming friends
When bitterness ends
This is my church
This is where I heal my hurts … for tonight

God is a DJ… 

This is my church

This is where I heal my hurts
This is our church… 

The Queen's message: "We will meet again".

The Queen's message: "We will meet again".
(Level: B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / *** )

Photo credit: bbc.co.uk 

You are going to listen to a special address to the nation by her Majesty the Queen on the coronavirus pandemic.


Before listening / watching:

The following words could be useful:

a disruption:   a major disturbance                dérèglement / bouleversement 
the NHS (National Health Service): the publicly-funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom
to tackle:to make efforts to deal with ...                  s'attaquer à ...   
a resolve: a firm determination                               résolution / détermination  
fellow-feeling: a feeling of mutual interest / communal feeling            solidarité / sentiment fraternel 
deep down: deep down inside  / basically       en son for intérieur  / au plus profond de soi-même
an endeavour: an attempt / a strenuous effort          effort / initiative / entreprise 


While listening / watching:


Answer the following questions:

1. The Queen's speech is a message of hope: true or false?   Explain! 
2. Who does she thank? 
3. What does the present-day crisis remind her of?
4. How different is this challenge from those in the past?



Now watch the Queen as she is addressing her country (BBC video without subtitles):  

You can also get to the BBC website to watch the Queen (video with subtitles) : click HERE








When you are finished, check your answers!

1. The Queen’s speech was a message of hope : true or false?   Explain.

Vrai. La souveraine a laissé entrevoir une lueur d’espoir :  « Nous vaincrons - et cette victoire sera celle de chacun d'entre nous », a-t-elle déclaré. « Alors que nous pourrions avoir à endurer plus encore, nous devrions trouver du réconfort dans le fait que des jours meilleurs viendront: nous retrouverons nos amis; nous retrouverons nos familles; nous nous retrouverons de nouveau ».

2. Who did she thank?

Elle a  remercié le personnel soignant, en première ligne dans la lutte contre la maladie ; également les Britanniques qui œuvrent partout hors de chez eux pour servir la population (les métiers essentiels dans cette crise) et ceux qui doivent rester en confinement pour éviter la propagation du virus, protéger les plus vulnérables et empêcher que d’autres familles aient à déplorer la perte d’êtres chers.

3. What does the present-day crisis remind her of?

L’esprit de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale et un souvenir personnel en 1940: sa participation avec sa  soeur à sa toute première radiodiffusion, pour s’adresser aux enfants qui avaient dû être évacués pour leur propre sécurité.  C’étaient des séparations douloureuses mais bien nécessaires. 

C’est encore le cas aujourd'hui à cause du coronavirus car beaucoup  doivent vivre séparés de leurs proches.

4. How different is this challenge from those in the past?

Ce défi est différent de ceux qu’il a fallu affronter dans le passé : ici, le Royaume-Uni se joint à toutes les nations du globe dans une lutte contre un ennemi commun, en utilisant les grandes avancées scientifiques et la compassion instinctive pour guérir.

Song 5: Coldplay - Clocks

Song 5: Coldplay - Clocks
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / ***) 

Coldplay
Photo credit: concert-france.com

Before listening / watching:

The following notes coud be useful:

Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in London in 1996.

The group comprises vocalist/pianist/guitarist Chris Martin, lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Will Champion.

Coldplay achieved worldwide fame with the release of their single "Yellow", followed by their debut album, Parachutes (2000). Its follow-up, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won multiple awards. Their next release, X&Y (2005), was well received. 

The band's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), was produced by Brian Eno and earned several Grammy nominations.

In 2011, Coldplay released their fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto which was the best-selling rock album in the UK. 

They released their next subsequent albums Ghost Stories in 2014 and A Head Full of Dreams in 2015.

In November 2019, they released their eighth album, Everyday Life. 

If you want to know more about their latest album, get to Coldplay's official site 

"Clocks" is a song which was written for the second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song won Record of the Year at the 2004 Grammy Awards, and, to date, is one of Coldplay's greatest career achievements.

The writing of the album as such began a week after the September 11 attacks in the United States, which gave the band a fresh perspective on songwriting.

Vocabulary  

to beg: supplier
to plead: implorer
things unsaid: le non-dit
to tame: apprivoiser
gonna (informal English) = going to
curse: malédiction



While listening / watching:

Watch, listen and fill in the missing words in the gaps:

 …………………………… (1) and I can't be saved

Tides that I tried to …………………………….. (2)
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, …………………………………………. (3) (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, a tiger's waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are

………………………………….. (4), closing walls and ticking clocks (gonna)
Come back and take you home, I could not stop that you now know (singing)
Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities (am I)
A part of the cure, or am I ………………………………………….. (5) (singing)

You are [4x]
You are [2x]
And ……………………………………………… (6)
Oh no nothing else compares
Oh and nothing else compares

You are [2x]
Home, home, where I wanted to go [2x](I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go (I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go

Now watch the music video: click HERE







When you are finished, check your answers!

Lights go out (1) and I can't be saved
Tides that I tried to swim against (2)
You've put me down upon my knees
Oh I beg, I beg and plead (singing)
Come out of things unsaid, shoot an apple off my head (3) (and a)
Trouble that can't be named, a tiger's waiting to be tamed (singing)
You are, you are

Confusion never stops, (4) closing walls and ticking clocks (gonna)
Come back and take you home, I could not stop that you now know (singing)
Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities (am I)
A part of the cure, or am I part of the disease (5) (singing)

You are [4x] (singing)
You are [2x]
And nothing else compares (6)
Oh no nothing else compares
Oh and nothing else compares

You are [continues in background]
Home, home, where I wanted to go [2x](I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go (I went)
Home, home, where I wanted to go

Song 4: AC/DC - It's a long way to the top (If I wanna rock'n'roll)

Song 4: AC/DC - It's a long way to the top (If I wanna rock'n'roll)
(Level: B2 to C1 / Upper-Intermediate / **** )

AC/DC
Photo credit: rtbf.be

Before listening / watching

The following notes could be useful:

AC/DC are a hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia, in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young.

The band is considered pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal alongside bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.

AC/DC released their first album, High Voltage, in 1975 and recorded their highly successful album Highway To Hell in 1979.

Lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon a new singer, Brian Johnson, was selected as Scott's replacement. Later that year, the band released their largest selling album, Back in Black.

The band's next album, For Those About to Rock, We salute You, (1981) was also highly successful and was their first album to reach No. 1 in the USA.

AC/DC declined in popularity after that: poor record sales continued until the release of The Razors Edge in 1990.

The studio album released in 2008 (Black Ice) was the biggest chart hit since their 1981 album.

"It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" is the first track of their Australian album T.N.T. released in December 1975 and also the first track on the international version of High Voltage released in May 1976. Musically, the song is notable for combining bagpipes with hard rock electric guitars, drums and bass.

A bagpipe player
Photo credit: scotclans.com

Picture credit: ultratop.be 

Vocabulary 

a highway: une route principale / nationale a byway: une route secondaire to get beat up (informal English) = to get beaten up to get took (informal English) = to get taken

you wanna (informal English) = you want to a one-night stand: une soirée / représentation unique the hard-sell: la vente agressive to get ripped off: se faire arnaquer

While listening / watching


1. Watch, listen and fill in the missing words in the gaps!

Ridin' down the ...................... (1) Goin' to a ...................... (2) Stop in all the byways Playin' rock 'n' roll Gettin' ....................... (3) Gettin' stoned Gettin' beat up Broken boned Gettin' ....................... (4) Gettin' took I tell you folks It's harder than it looks It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you think it's easy doin' one night stands Try playin' in a rock roll band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Hotel motel Make you wanna cry Lady do the hard sell Know the reason why Gettin' ........................ (5) Gettin' grey

Gettin' ripped off ............................. (6) Gettin' sold Second-hand That's how it goes Playin' in a band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you wanna be a star of ......................................(7) Look out it's rough and mean It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Well it's a long way It's a long way, you .......................................... (8) me It's a long way, such a long way

2. What does playing in a rock'n'roll band involve? What is is like? 




Now watch the music video:  click HERE








When you are finished, you can check your answers! 

1

Ridin' down the highway (1) Goin' to a show (2) Stop in all the byways Playin' rock 'n' roll Gettin' robbed (3) Gettin' stoned Gettin' beat up Broken boned Gettin' had (4) Gettin' took I tell you folks It's harder than it looks It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you think it's easy doin' one night stands Try playin' in a rock roll band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Hotel motel Make you wanna cry Lady do the hard sell Know the reason why Gettin' old (5) Gettin' grey

Gettin' ripped off Underpaid (6) Gettin' sold Second hand That's how it goes Playin' in a band It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll If you wanna be a star of stage and screen (7) Look out it's rough and mean It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock 'n' roll Well it's a long way It's a long way, you should've told me (8) It's a long way, such a long way

2

Jouer dans un group rock…

…implique qu’on doive sillonner les routes (principales et secondaires)… ; qu’on se fasse voler (get robbed), battre (get beaten up), avoir (get had), prendre (get taken), arnaquer (get ripped off), vendre (get sold), sous-payer (underpaid)… / …qu’on soit défoncé (get stoned)

…c’est plus dur qu’il n’y parait : pas facile de faire des représentations uniques / de passer les nuits dans des hôtels ou des motels à vous donner envie de pleurer…

…ça vous vieillit …

…

What if there was an outbreak of coronavirus in a migrant camp?

What if there was an outbreak of coronavirus in a migrant camp? 
(Level: B1 to B2 / Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate / ***)


How could coronavirus be avoided in an overcrowded refugee camp where people live in excessively unsanitary conditions?


Before watching

You are going to watch a footage filmed in the camp of Moria, Lesbos in Greece. 

Island of Lesbos, Greece
Map credit: showerpower.eu

The situation is horrendous for the migrants in a place where an outbreak of the Covid-19 would cause havoc. 

(to cause havoc: faire des ravages)

The following words could be useful:

a ticking time bomb:a situation that would cause havoc or result in a disastrous outcome.        bombe à retardement 

the trash = the rubbish

Picture credit: theguardian.com

While watching:

Answer the following questions:

Explain why it would be catastrophic on the Island of Lesbos if there was an outbreak of coronavirus!   What is it like for the refugees to live there? 

You can also watch the video (with English subtitles) on the BBC News site by clicking HERE

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

Si le coronavirus devait faire son apparition dans le campement, la situation deviendrait très vite incontrôlable parce qu'il serait impossible de s'isoler des autres ou de mettre en place le confinement de rigueur pour endiguer le virus.

- le camp compte 18.000 personnes alors qu'il ne devait à la base en accueillir que 3.000; donc surpopulation et donc aucune possibilité de distanciation sociale

- les gens doivent faire la file pour se procurer de la nourriture, de l'eau potable, aller aux toilettes, prendre une douche...

- les points d'eau ne sont accessibles que durant quelques heures par jour: les attroupements sont donc conséquents à chaque fois... 

- Certaines toilettes sont hors d'usage. 

- Les conditions d'hygiène sont déplorables; les détritus sont partout et même à proximité des points d'eau.

- Les réserves de savons et de produits nettoyants s'amenuisent... Les magasins de l'île en sont presque à court... 

- Il n'y a pas de gants, ni de masques... 

- Il n'y a presque pas de médecins dans le camp...  

Le responsable de Médecins sans Frontières craint que ces réfugiés seront les laissés pour compte de l'Europe en cas de flambée épidémique

...

Song 3: Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie)

Song 3: Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie)
(Level: C1 / Upper-Intermediate to Advanced / ***)

David Bowie
Photo credit: francemusique.fr

You are going to watch a music video of David Bowie's Ashes to Ashes. 

Before watching:

The following notes and words could be useful:

A few notes about David Bowie and the song:

David Robert Jones, known as David Bowie was born on 8 January 1947 in Brixton, South London. 

He began his career in 1963 and "Space Oddity" became his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart after its release in July 1969.

He had had a fight in 1962 with a schoolmate which resulted in his peculiar left eye condition: a permanently dilated pupil, the colour of which is different from his right eye.  

He became famous in 1969 with Space Oddity*, the initial part of his Glam rock period.

He released in 1980 his very successful album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) including the very famous Ashes to Ashes.

He released in 1981 the hit Under Pressure co-written by and performed with Queen.

He released a truly commercial hit, Let’s Dance, in 1983 which went to number one in the USA and the UK.

He sang in duet with Mick Jagger on Dancing in the Street** in 1985.

He released albums in the 1990s highly influenced by soul, jazz, hip-hop, alternative rock and drum and bass music.

He also appeared in films.  In The Man who Fell to Earth  (1976), Bowie played the role of an alien, in Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence (1983), he was a major, a prisoner of war in a Japanese internment camp, in The Hunger (1984 -  along with Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon), he was a vampire... 

In the noughties and a bit after, Bowie had been absent for at least 10 years before returning with his 2013 album The Next Day. 

He died of liver cancer on 10 January 2016 at his home in New York City, two days after his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).

Picture credit: en.wikipedia.org

Ashes to Ashes

-One of Bowie’s number one hits.

-Musically the song was notable for its delicate synthetic string sound (with a guitar synth, i.e. the combination of a guitar and a synthesizer) and its complex  vocal exercise.

-Regarded as Bowie's most sophisticated sonic work.

-The video clip was also iconic because it was full of scenes based on solarisation with images recorded on a negative or on a photographic print wholly or partially reversed in tone. Dark areas appear light and vice versa.

-The song and its video also denoted the singer’s plaintive mood of the time

Vocabulary
the shrieking: les cris
I ain't got = I haven't got 
a junkie: un camé / drogué
funky: froussard   (funk: frousse / peur)
strung out in heaven's high: perché en haut dans le ciel 



While watching:

Watch the song and then find the missing part in it. 

You can find the video by clicking HERE

Watch, listen and find the missing parts

........................................ a guy that’s been
In such an early song
I’ve heard a rumour from ground control
Oh no, don’t say it’s true

They got a message from the action man
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
I’ve loved all I’ve ............................................
Sordid details following

The shrieking of nothing is .....................................

Just pictures of jap girls in synthesis and I
Ain’t got no money and I ain’t ......................................
But I’m hoping to kick but the planet it’s glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again ..................................
I’ll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels ........................................
Oh no, not again
I’m stuck with a valuable friend
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol

I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything ......................................, woh-o-oh
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom

When you are finished, you can check your answers.

Do you remember a guy that’s been
In such an early song
I’ve heard a rumour from ground control
Oh no, don’t say it’s true

They got a message from the action man
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
I’ve loved all I’ve needed love
Sordid details following

The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of jap girls in synthesis and i
Ain’t got no money and I ain’t got no hair
But I’m hoping to kick but the planet it’s glowing

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again I tell myself
I’ll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I’m stuck with a valuable friend
I’m happy, hope you’re happy too
One flash of light but no smoking pistol

I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything out of the blue, woh-o-oh
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know major tom’s a junkie
Strung out in heaven’s high
Hitting an all-time low

My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom
My mother said to get things done
You’d better not mess with major Tom